“Retire quietly”- Former spy chief tells Kuol Manyang

Former Sudan Deputy Intelligence Chief Dr Ajak D’Agoot has told SPLM veteran politician Kuol Manyang to retire and go home quietly.

This comes after Manyang, a senior figure within SPLM, was quoted in an interview as having said it was time for veteran members of the party, including President Salva Kiir, to relinquish power to the young ones.

“I told President Salva [Kiir Mayardit] that it is time for us to relinquish power and give it to the young people and he has been in agreement [with me] because we have been in power since 2005 and now this is 17 years for us leading the government of South Sudan,” Manyang said as quoted by Sudans Post.

The veteran said stagnation in development, rife defection, rebellions, and the armed conflict meant it was time fresh ideas and new blood take over.

“We could have done anything, but these years have gone and we have a lot of challenges, political challenges, a rebellion, defections, the country is experiencing insecurity, no development, something that we have not done for the last 17 years, really, are we sure that we can do it tomorrow?” Manyang questioned.

However, D’Agoot, who also served as the deputy minister of defence prior to the country’s independence, questioned why Manyang has been so vocal advocating for the president and other cadres to leave instead of hanging his political boot silently.

“When I often hear of these declarations by Gen Kuol Manyang that it’s time to go home, I wonder what is he still waiting for?” D’Agoot questioned.

“When we become infirm, we leave the stage coz we’re unfit to discharge public authority. Abel Alier & Elijah Malok retired quietly without this much fuss!” he added.

Manyang is on the record of publicly criticizing the SPLM leadership. In 2020, the veteran politician declared that the ruling has failed the people of South Sudan.

He is also a former Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, who also served as a special presidential advisor.